Miller writes, in part, that "Evangelicals generally do not want to take over the world" and broadly describes "Dominionism" as...

... a Christian's obligation to be active in the world, including in politics and government. More narrowly, some view it as Christian nationalism.

... Extremist dominionists do exist, as theocrats who hope to transform our democracy into something that looks like ancient Israel, complete with stoning as punishment. But "it's a pretty small world," says (Mary) Worthen (who teaches religious history at the University of Toronto).

Mark DeMoss, whose Atlanta-based public relations firm represents several Christian groups, put it this way: "You would be hard-pressed to find one in 1,000 Christians in America who could even wager a guess at what dominionism is."

Peter Montgomery, an associate editor for Religion Dispatches and a Senior Fellow at People For the American Way Foundation, bites back:

Dominionism refers to a theological tenet at the core of the religious right movement -- that Christians are meant to exercise dominion over the earth...

It may be true, as evangelical leader Mark DeMoss says in Miller's story, that "you would be hard-pressed to find one in 1,000 Christians in America would could even wager a guess at what dominionism is." But it's certainly not true of the leaders of the religious right political movement. Their followers are hearing dominionist teaching whether they know it or not.

In Montgomery's piece there's plenty to fear as, he says, :

... a broad swath of conservative evangelical leadership to adopt a shared set of talking points, if you will, to unite theologically disparate elements in common political cause to defeat the Satanic/demonic enemies of faith and freedom: secularists, gays, liberals, and the Obama administration.

Can we set aside the question of "dominion" -- being in charge -- to look at a related set of questions? Here are mine:

Do you see anything wrong with being a political activist on behalf of God? Wouldn't human rights activists, peace activists and anti-poverty activists say they, too, are trying to carry out God's work on earth?

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About Cathy Lynn Grossman

Cathy Lynn Grossman is too fidgety to meditate. But talking about visions and values, faith and ethics lights her up. Join in at Faith & Reason. More about Cathy.